Cornerstone Church of Augusta gave away $12,500 to youth and adults at the close of Sunday morning’s service, in sealed envelopes each containing a $50 bill and a set of instructions.
This surprise move marked the end of a 40-day “faith raising” campaign, during which members were encouraged to fast and pray, entreating God to move mountains in their lives individually and corporately.
Although part of the campaign’s focus was to retire the remaining mortgage debt of $850,000, the main focus was on raising the level of faith, as members trust God and see Him working in their lives. Members who wished to participate in retiring the debt returned commitment cards indicating how God was leading them to contribute to the “Debt Destruction Campaign,” yet no one expected to receive $50.
The mood was reverent as people came forward at the end of the service to receive their envelope, not knowing what was inside, and instructed to wait to open it until leaving the property.
In the enclosed instructions, Senior Pastor Greg Mayo wrote, “What you have received is a seed of faith. This $50 bill has the potential to be multiplied many times over as you walk with God, sow in faith, and give out of obedience. I have been teaching for many weeks about the spiritual law of sowing and reaping. I have encouraged you to consider God’s economic system of generosity over the world’s economic system of greed. So today Cornerstone Church is putting its faith where its mouth is.”
“Our responsibility was to obey God and give you this $50. It is your responsibility to figure out what to do with it. Since this money was taken from our Building Fund, our hope is that you will give what you reap from it to our ‘Debt Destruction’ campaign. We have no expectation of how you will spend it or invest it. I believe in you and my trust is in God.”
Cornerstone Church of Augusta is used to unconventional ways of ministry. In 2004, the Young Warriors Wrestling Association was born out of a dream to train the hearts of young men, while at the same time training their minds and bodies in the discipline of this demanding sport. In just seven short years, the program has grown to over 100 boys, and is well known as a premier wrestling club in the area. Cornerstone members cheerfully stack their chairs each Sunday morning of wrestling season, and roll out the mats for a week of training.
Another unconventional ministry is the Free Riders Motorcycle Ministry, a fellowship and outreach arm of Cornerstone Church. Members and guests come together frequently during the spring, summer, and fall to spend an afternoon, a day, or even a week riding together. They’ve toured such scenic places as Bald River Falls in Cherokee National Forest, and the “Tail of the Dragon” in Deals Gap, North Carolina.
More information on these ministries and more can be found on the church website at www.cornerstoneaugusta.org.
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